Short Answer

In North Carolina, the most reliable way to confirm the correct insurance claim number is to get it directly from the adjuster or the insurer’s claims department in writing (email or letter) and then use that same number consistently on every document you send. If you do not have a claim number yet, you can still open (or confirm) a bodily injury claim by providing the crash date, the insured driver’s name, the policy number (if known), and the vehicles involved. If there are separate bodily injury and property damage files, make sure you are using the bodily injury claim number for injury paperwork.

Understanding the Problem

If you are pursuing a North Carolina bodily injury claim and your lawyer is sending a letter of representation limited to bodily injury (not property damage), you may need to confirm which claim number the auto insurer assigned so your paperwork goes into the right file. In plain terms, the question is: “How do I make sure I’m putting the insurer’s correct claim number on my letters, medical bills, and other documents so they are matched to the right injury claim?”

Apply the Law

North Carolina law does not generally require a specific “claim number” format for a private auto bodily injury claim. A claim number is mainly an insurer’s internal tracking number. The practical legal issue is making sure your communications clearly identify the correct insurer, insured, crash, and claimant so the insurer can properly log, investigate, and respond. When bodily injury and property damage are handled as separate claims (or separate “exposures”), you should confirm which number applies to bodily injury so you do not accidentally route injury documents into the property damage file.

Key Requirements

• Identify the correct insurer and insured: Use the at-fault driver’s name and policy number (if available) so the insurer can locate the right policy.
• Identify the correct loss event: Include the crash date and location (city/county is usually enough) and the vehicles involved.
• Identify the correct claimant(s): List each injured person’s full name and date of birth (often requested) so the insurer can separate multiple passengers’ injury files.
• Confirm the bodily injury file: Ask whether there is a separate bodily injury claim number (or “BI exposure”) distinct from property damage.
• Get written confirmation: Request the claim number in writing and repeat it in the subject line and on every page you send.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-540.2 (Property damage settlement does not automatically settle injury claims) - Confirms that property damage resolution does not, by itself, release bodily injury claims unless the written settlement says so, which is one reason insurers may track BI and PD separately.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-319.1 (Insurer certification of coverage upon insured’s request) - Provides a process for an insured to request coverage certification for DMV purposes; while not a “claim number” rule, it reflects that insurers must respond to certain formal coverage-related requests.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Here, a law firm is sending a representation letter to the auto insurer and clarifying that representation is limited to bodily injury for two passengers. Because there may be a separate property damage file for the vehicle, the safest approach is to confirm (in writing) the bodily injury claim number(s) assigned to each injured passenger and then put that number on the representation letter, medical authorizations, and any medical billing submissions. If the insurer has not assigned a number yet, the representation letter can still be processed as long as it clearly identifies the insured, crash date, and the injured passengers.

Process & Timing

1. Who contacts the insurer: You or your attorney. Where: The auto insurer’s claims department (often by phone first, then email/fax/mail). What: Ask for the “bodily injury claim number” (and whether there are separate claim numbers for each injured passenger). When: As soon as you start sending paperwork, so documents do not get misrouted.
2. Confirm in writing: Request an email that states (1) the claim number, (2) the adjuster’s name and contact details, and (3) whether the number is for bodily injury versus property damage.
3. Use the number consistently: Put the claim number in the subject line and on each page (or at least the first page) of every submission. If you later learn the insurer changed or merged claim numbers, resend key documents with the updated number.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Separate files for each injured person: Two passengers often means two bodily injury claim numbers (or two “exposures”) under the same policy. Using only one number can cause misfiling.
• Mixing property damage and bodily injury: If you put the property damage claim number on injury paperwork, it may land with the wrong adjuster and slow the injury claim.
• Relying on a police report number: A crash report number is not the insurer’s claim number. It can help the insurer locate the loss, but it does not replace the claim number once assigned.
• Not identifying the insured/policy clearly: If you do not have the claim number yet, missing basics (insured name, crash date, vehicle info) can prevent the insurer from locating the correct file.
• Assuming a property damage payment ends the injury claim: Under North Carolina law, property damage settlement does not automatically release bodily injury claims unless the written settlement clearly says it does.

Conclusion

In North Carolina auto injury claims, the “correct claim number” is usually the insurer’s internal bodily injury file number, and the safest way to confirm it is to request it directly from the adjuster or claims department in writing and then use it consistently on every submission. When there are separate property damage and bodily injury files (or multiple injured passengers), confirm you have the bodily injury claim number for each claimant. Next step: send (or have your lawyer send) a representation letter asking the insurer to confirm the bodily injury claim number(s) in writing.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with an auto insurer and want to make sure your bodily injury paperwork is routed to the correct claim file (especially when property damage is being handled separately), our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Reach out today. Call [CONTACT NUMBER].

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.